Cold-weather films to watch during this heatwave

Experts are suggesting that this heat wave will last into August with little respite and very little rain, sparking fears of hosepipe bans (already in force in Northern Ireland) and more scenes like those seen in the Yorkshire moors over the past few weeks.

And whilst moaning about the weather is practically a British national sport, I can’t be the only one thinking that this is just a bit too hot for a bit too long. There is, after all, only so much sun cream you can put on and so many pub gardens you can sit in, and if you’re using public transport at the moment, it’s a whole other drama.

So here’s my advice: stay in. Draw the curtains, turn the fan on, get the ice-cream in and watch some films. Here’s five films to watch if you just cannot with this weather anymore.

1. Cool Runnings (1993) One of the most quote-worthy films of all time! People might dismiss this as a kids’ film, but it really repays rewatching, and it physically transports the main characters from hot sunny Jamaica to cold snowy Canada, which is a bit of a dream of mine at the moment. Plus, never has the phrase ‘Hey Sanka, you dead, man?’ applied more to how I’m feeling right now.

If you’re finding the nights tough to get through at the moment, what with the residual heat and the obscenely early sunrises, this one is for you. Josh Hartnett and Melissa George prepare for the Alaskan polar winter, when the sun will not rise for 30 days, and, oh yeah, the vampires will descend. It’s pretty ridiculous as films go, but the idea of 30 days of nighttime is pretty sweet right now.

3. Happy Feet (2006) This is most definitely a kids’ film, but that doesn’t make it any less good. Dream of when you too had the energy to dance like Mumble the penguin without turning into a puddle of sweat. A perfect film to watch with friends when none of you are quite conscious enough to pay full attention.

4. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)Assistant Film Editor Laura Potier specifically requested this one, and it is quite the current dream: the world being destroyed by storms and wind and snow. On a serious note, it’s a reminder (albeit a rather dramatic one) of how much impact humans have upon climate and weather, and what may be in store for us if we don’t start heeding the warning signs.

5. Encounters at the End of the World (2007) If you’re interested in how people really live in places which get much colder than Britain ever does, try this documentary currently available on Netflix. Director Werner Herzog travelled to Antarctica to film those who lived and worked there, and the wildlife. Much more thought-provoking than some of the films on this list, it might just convince you that we haven’t got it quite so bad here after all!